Teens ready to invade Texas
Cruzando in Spanish means crossing, which is exactly what thousands of youths will do this summer, crossing the country for the likewise themed Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's 2006 Gathering in San Antonio, Texas.
Youths from several county churches will be among those flocking to the event, held during two weeklong sessions in July.
Though their departure date is still several months off, youth groups have long been preparing for the trip, both financially and spiritually.
At St. Mark's Evangelical Lutheran Church on West Jefferson Street, the 14 youth and nine adult chaperones have been meeting monthly since January for Bible readings and discussions recommended by Gathering organizers.
"Ithink it pumps us up to go," said Abigail McPherson, who will make her first trip to Gathering this summer.
In addition to providing motivation and excitement, the meetings help to introduce themes that will be discussed by keynote speakers and during daily Bible studies held at the Alamodome in San Antonio.
Yet spirituality alone will not carry the youths to Texas. Before boarding airplanes and checking into their hotel rooms, participants are working to raise money to cover the expenses.
The Rev. Peggy Suhr-Barkley, pastor of Zion Lutheran Church in Harmony, said that while registration for the Gathering is $235 per person, the cost with hotel, airfare and meals will amount to between $1,200 and $1,300 for each youth and chaperone from her church.
Having held several dinners at the church to raise money, the two youths and two adult participants at Zion are about $600 away from their goal.
Just as costs per person differ based on a church's lodging, travel and dining choices, the methods for raising funds also vary.
At Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Chicora, trip costs are divided into thirds, one third paid by the individual participants, one third by the congregation and the last third through fundraising events conducted by the church and participants.
"One of the things we emphasize in our fundraising is that we do things together,"said the Rev. James Higgins of Holy Trinity.
By working together on bake sales, Higgins said participants and chaperones develop a sense of community before traveling together.
Since the event is open to high school students and is held once every three years, many of the students will make their one and only trip this year.
High school senior Samatha Minton of St. Mark's, however will be making her second trip.
"I want to experience it with different people," she said of her reason for making a repeat trip.
Unlike the youths, chaperones, or sponsors for the groups often make repeat trips.
Suhr-Barkley, about to take her eighth trip to Gathering, said the experience is meaningful for the adults as well as the youths.
"It's a neat aspect for me to see our youth take in and absorb the week and help them through that."
Participants can look forward to more than just Bible study, however. Both weeks of the Gathering are designed with plenty of time and activities that will allow participants to interact and enjoy the host city.
About 50 hotels will be used to host the visiting groups and clusters of hotels have been divided into "neighborhoods" where themed activities will take place.
The youths of St. Mark's will be staying in The Gallery neighborhood, which will feature art activities and exhibits.
Shuttle buses will take the teens from one neighborhood to the next, however so all participants will be able to visit The Café, for coffee and open mic poetry and music; The Mission, to work on service projects; The Parish, for reflection and prayer; and The Park, for games.The Web site also lists other activities throughout the week including a convention center equipped with rock climbing walls and a ropes course and a college fair and bookstore, where participants can learn about Lutheran colleges and universities.After being chosen through an application process, Abbie Hoffman of St. Mark's will also participate in the Gathering Choir. Participants were also able to apply for a jazz band, dance troupe and art exhibition to be held each week.Hoffman, who also attended the 2003 Gathering in Atlanta said the number of teens that participate makes the event exciting.Higgins also noted the effect of attendance on the teens."There's 25,000 teenagers from all over the United States and you realize there are people just like you everywhere that take their faith seriously, said Higgins, who participated in the Gathering as a chaperone in 2003 and a youth in 1968."Just the sheer numbers creates an enthusiasm, a mindset that you just don't get with small groups."According to the website, 38,000 youth and adults are currently registered to attend. While registration for the second week is full, spaces are still available for the first week, beginning July 5.Though San Antonio will bear the invasion of youth, participants will be encouraged to give back to the city providing such ample hospitality.In addition to service projects and offerings benefiting national and international organizations, participants are encouraged to bring gift cards for chain stores that will be distributed to San Antonio organizations that serve residents in need."Anytime 20,000 youth are supposed to be someplace, people might panic," said Suhr-Barkley, noting that in her experience, the teens leave a good impression on the host city.Participants from St. Mark's Evangelical, Holy Trinity and Zion Lutheran churches will all attend the first week of the gathering from July 5 through 9. For more information on the event, visit www.elca.org/gathering.
